
Michael is asking if they can declare a draw. I hear ya' brotha.
Let’s make this quick: It’s over. Project Runway Season Six limped to the finish line with a win for nominal villiainess Irina Shabayeva, but really, is an eye-rolling, shoulder-shrugging Georgian mean girl that much of a villain?
No. Was her collection that great? No. It was simply the best executed of the three. Carol Hannah, hobbled by a nasty stomach virus, put out some pretty frocks inspired by the architecture of Duke University and fairies and nymphs (I think?) but it was just a little too shiny and scattershot.
Giantess Althea did her homage to sci-fi movies, but it was a lot less Blade Runner and a whole lotta paper bag pants and pleather. And monster sleeves. Because in space, no one can see your hands.
The judges, including Suzy Menkes and her massive hair-don’t, deliberated in a ho-hum fashion before sending Carol Hannah home, declaring Althea first runner up and crowning Irina the winner.

Carol Hannah's opening dress was one the judges all swooned for — and rightfully so. It draped beautifully, and from an editorial standpoint, was a winner.

I think Carol Hannah's 13th dress was the best of the last-minute designs. Elegant color and red carpet potential!

But would Ripley wear it? I dare anyone to tell me what is sci-fi about Althea's massive sweater.

From a knitwear design perspective, this is easily copied — the self-striping yarn does the work for you, and the silhouette is basic. But is it lost in space?

Irina loses points for using fur. This is one of the most basic designs I've ever seen on PR, too. I think a tween could have made it.

I will credit Irina with head to toe styling, which cinched her win. Bag, hat, even stupid T-shirt.
Bah, humbug.
Here’s what I want to know: How did they do it? I don’t want to see Irina’s grumpy Georgian dad crying on the runway to try and make my heart grow two sizes for her, I want to know:
1) Did she make her hats herself? Make the forms and mold them? Or did she farm the work out?
2) Did both Althea and Irina knit their sweaters themselves, or again, farm the work out? In season one, Jay MacCarroll used knit and crochet elements, and designed the work but had the actual hand work done elsewhere. What did these two chicas do? As a knitwear designer myself, I want to know!
3) Why did Irina play fast and loose with the rules? She was supposed to use the model Kalyn chose for her 13th look, and yet, she put Kalyn herself in it. Rule breaker! Also, her silk-screened T-shirts used sayings lifted directed from a New York magazine article. Plagiarism, anyone? Why is this okay? And she even claimed they were her own ideas! This is where I draw the line! This woman accuses everyone of ripping her own ideas off, and yet, she plagiarizes!
Off my high horse. Actually, I’m not. This season has been such a disappointment, and frankly, my number one thought during the finale was, “I wonder what Epperson or Ra’Mon would have brought to the table.” Because those two gentlemen were kicked off way too soon.
But that’s what happens when you get random judges, pointless challenges that aren’t challenging, and a general sense of ennui.
Should this entire season have been tossed in the dumper considering the lawsuit and massive time lag?
For me, the answer is a resounding “yes.”
So, congratulations Irina. I hope I never see your sour face again, but you won, and are the least deserving winner since Jeffrey Sebelia. The truth hurts.






The only thing I could think about during the judges portion of the show was the guest judge (who is she?) stole her hair don’t directly from the movie Something about Mary. All in all, this was a pretty poor excuse for a season. Hopefully next will be better – with all the dueling lawsuits out of the way.
I’m sickened by Irina’s plagiarism, too. She’s a strong designer, and I don’t care if she says mean things about people, but lying and cheating is just wrong.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, this whole season has been such a waste. I can honestly say I am glad it is over so I don’t have to continue to be disappointed weekly. I think the only interesting spots throughout have been with Mr. Gunn front and center. It was odd yet so refreshing to see him let loose with his comments, etc. Please, let’s hope Heidi and the “girls” [i.e., Weinstein Bros.] manage to provide a better season next time around. Otherwise, this will go in the hopper along with the other shows that have “jumped the shark”. Carry on!
The ‘Ripley’ sweater is sci-fi, everyone knows aliens have long arms. I would have liked to have Epperson hang out a little longer too. I’m still trying to figure out why Suzy Q does that to her hair? She’s an adult and obviously has some responsibility in the fashion world. How can someone with hair like that comment on anything? Her taste is in question. Didn’t Miss Thing (Kara Saun) from season 1 get taken to task because she had shoes made? Maybe the new network switch accounts for the lack of rules. Or the powers that be don’t want newspaper hats gracing the runway at Bryant Park. Lets hope they find another Chris March for next season. This season was a lesson in casting, designers that are at least 28-30 and have a personality and some life experience make better TV, Christian, Kayne and Austin are the exception to the rule. I hope they don’t over compensate next season and have cat fights and mud wrestling. Looking forward to a better season.